The Millennial Project

It’s election day.

The Daily Iowan asked University of Iowa students who they planned on voting for in the 2016 presidential election. We set up last week on the second floor of the IMU with a black backdrop and a tripod and interviewed students as they passed by. They gave their views on the election as well as the importance of the millennial vote. Below are the interviews.

“I’m torn between Hillary and Trump. I’m usually more focused on the republican side but it’s so hard to vote for someone who is immature, racist, and sexist … In the context of higher education, it’s really important for students to express their views on tuition increases.”
— Rachel Langholz, UI senior

“I’m voting for Donald Trump because my family is very republican and Hillary’s views just don’t line up with mine.”
— Allison Brown, UI freshman

“Trump is not the person to go to.”
— Salma Noureldaim, UI freshman

“I’m not really sure who I’m voting for, but I’m more liberal so probably Hillary … Every vote counts of course, because Iowa is a swing state.”
— Fabian Rodriguez, UI freshman

“I’m not voting for either one; Hillary or Donald Trump. I feel like this election has made me more intelligent. I feel like both are not qualified for the job.”
— Braxton Zoladz, UI senior

“I’m voting for Hillary Clinton because I feel she is a champion for the middle class, women and any other underrepresented communities … Millennials have the power to change the outcome of elections.”
— Kendal Corkle, UI senior

“I voted for Hillary Clinton because originally I was in the Sanders boat but when that lost momentum, I decided if Trump’s getting the republican nomination, I would go with Hillary because I’m not a huge fan of Trump … It’s important for everyone [to vote] because we are in a democracy and it doesn’t run if everyone doesn’t participate.”
— Jon Seedorff, UI freshman

“I’m supporting Donald Trump for his policy, not his personality … It’s important for everybody to vote. The right to vote is a big privilege and it’s good to get involved.”
— Frank Boksa, UI freshman

“I’m supporting Hillary because the other option is way too horrible … I believe voting is very important in this election in order to stand against Trump.”
— UI freshman, Walt Wang

“There’s points I disagree with on both parties’ platforms. There are a lot of independent people that are running so I am yet to be decided … These are the people that are going to be in offices, affecting our futures; so if you don’t care about it, that is super concerning.”
— Molly Georgia, UI junior

“Currently I’m on the fence between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. I’ve also looked at third party candidates. I think it will come down to the last day and either a coin flip or how I wake up in the morning … I think we’re a demographic that doesn’t turn out a lot and our voice needs to be heard.”
— Joey Storto, UI senior

“I support Hillary Clinton. I think she is a much more professional candidate, with so much experience. I think its ridiculous to have a presidential candidate with no experience in public service … I think it’s crucial for college students to get out and vote. There are so many issues that affect students that are at stake.”
— Abigail Dockum, UI junior

“I’m not the biggest fan of Hillary Clinton but I don’t want Trump in office at all. It is very scary to me … I was born in China and voting wasn’t as big of a thing there but having the right and privilege to choose our officials is pretty important, especially for millennials who are going to have to deal with the future.”
— Shanea Condon, UI Senior

“I don’t know who to vote for honestly, just not Hillary Clinton. I don’t agree with some of the things she has done.”
— Tanner Miller, UI sophomore

“I voted for Hillary because she’s the most qualified candidate. There’s no doubt about it … Millennials care about issues and we have to show that to representatives or they’re not going to listen.”
— Lauren Freeman, UI senior

“I’m an international student so I’m not able to vote, but I don’t agree with the two candidates. I liked Bernie Sanders a lot … though I don’t think international students should be able to vote in America’s elections because that’s America’s business, but I do think a lot of international students have a lot of opinions and keep up with American politics and they should be asked about their opinions.”
— Gloria Liu, UI junior

“I’m supporting Gary Johnson, the third party candidate because he has democratic views, but I do not want to support Hillary Clinton.”
— Maya Litchfield, UI freshman

“We have this stigma of not voting at all and not caring about politics but I think we have the power to sway the vote … I’m supporting Hillary Clinton because she just makes the most sense.”
— Chloe Cable, UI senior

“I think it’s incredibly important for millennials to vote in this election because this generation is going to be affected the most by this outcome.”
— Lindsey Rayner, UI junior

“I honestly don’t even know if I’ll vote for one of the two leading candidates right now. I almost feel like I have to pick my poison at this point.”
— Devon Hale, UI sophomore